...and what about Vichy France?

[ronturner]

I must admit to not being terribly aux fait with French history, so I was surprised at the weekend to learn that French Vichy troops operating in North Africa in the 1939-1945 war were responsible for the death of many Americans and at least 1000 British soldiers.

I also learned that Joe Stalin held out for the French to excluded from the "Allies" side of the surrender table, and instead thought they should be on the other side. (Because the Vichy government was said to be properly constituted.) No doubt Churchill and Roosevelt prevailed for reasons of their own. Who was right. I guess I would not be living here now if JS had his way.
I have looked for information on this and not found anything on the internet. Its probably been censored.

Comments anyone?

John was always S**t hot on history. maybe he knows.

Modification:-
After posting, I decided to have another search with different questions and found some information . Certainly looks as though the fisrt part of my post is correct, at least. Still welcome comments though.

RT

[johnoakes]

I have a great book on the Vichy regime--will send it on if you like--its very socialist and concerned mainly with the holocaust but gives a flavour as what a corrupt set they were.(Its in English written by a Daily Mirror journalist!"!)

Did you know they fought against us in Madagascar and over Syria/Lebanon? shooting down Blenheims with Dewotine 520s?

All very sad--following the orders of their government I suppose.

Stalin certainly supported the French communists in all ways possible and had a squadron of French in the soviet airforce.--The Normandy squadron I think.
De Gaulle was not one of his favourite people he would have prefered some sort of commie takeover.

A sad time for France the Vichy regime but one they acknowledge now--after years of soul searching.They no longer think of Petain as a fuddled old man but a bit of a b*********d

In context you have to consider how many French civilians were killed by allied bombing--collateral damage is the spin word I think.

Who do you follow in time of war--your conscience or your flag?

Not an easy one for an uneducated French peasant.

Or anyone else.

[davel]

Don't forget the French have never forgiven us for sinking a large part of the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir in Algeria, when they wouldn't join us after Vichy France made peace with the Nazis. 1300 French sailors were killed in that action after they ignored an ultimatum from Britain.
The man with the "big hooter" never did and kept us out of the EEC for years. Mind you some may think that it was a pity they ever did let us in eventually!